Next week I'll be going home for Spring Break and hopefully buying my first bike. I called one of the shops that carries Specialized around me and they have some 2005 Rockhoppers for $480 and the 2006s are $500. I think I may already know the answer but would it be better to spend the extra $20 to get the newer bike with SRAM components and RS Judy J3 Fork over the Shimano components and the Manitou Axle Comp Fork?

Hmm, can anyone else look real quick at www.specialized.com Is it just for me or have they changed the specs on the 2006 Rockhopper to Deore and LX components with avid brakes instead of SRAM and tektro. Would that be because there are two different 2006 models or what? I'd definitely like the Deore and LX better I think but I'm not sure why it just suddenly changed.

Next week I'll be going home for Spring Break and hopefully buying my first bike. I called one of the shops that carries Specialized around me and they have some 2005 Rockhoppers for $480 and the 2006s are $500. I think I may already know the answer but would it be better to spend the extra $20 to get the newer bike with SRAM components and RS Judy J3 Fork over the Shimano components and the Manitou Axle Comp Fork?

When you're buying a new bicycle, the difference of $20 is barely worth a squat. If you want to get a bargain, try to haggle the guy down to $400. The other thing you might offer is for him to put X.7 level shifting on the bike 2005 and keep it the same price.

I would prefer SRAM shifting over Shimano. Both shifter sets at that level are just marginally better than junk. But with the SRAM stuff you have 1:1 actuation ratio. When the shifter breaks on the Alivio stuff, not only will you have to replace the derailleur to get 1:1 actuation, you'll also have to buy levers since the Alivio systems are integrated.

Try to find another Specialized dealer (on the way home if need be) and negotiate a price. Also, make sure the trails in your area are open before you go out. In the midwest, you'll find nothing but mud. I know it's hard to wait, but if you go out to early you'll really have a lousy experience AND you'll damage the trails AND you'll have to wash your bike.

When you're buying a new bicycle, the difference of $20 is barely worth a squat. If you want to get a bargain, try to haggle the guy down to $400. The other thing you might offer is for him to put X.7 level shifting on the bike 2005 and keep it the same price.

I would prefer SRAM shifting over Shimano. Both shifter sets at that level are just marginally better than junk. But with the SRAM stuff you have 1:1 actuation ratio. When the shifter breaks on the Alivio stuff, not only will you have to replace the derailleur to get 1:1 actuation, you'll also have to buy levers since the Alivio systems are integrated.

Try to find another Specialized dealer (on the way home if need be) and negotiate a price. Also, make sure the trails in your area are open before you go out. In the midwest, you'll find nothing but mud. I know it's hard to wait, but if you go out to early you'll really have a lousy experience AND you'll damage the trails AND you'll have to wash your bike.

Everything you're saying is true. The hope is that I get a bike but only if I find something I like and it doesn't rain. Unfortunately it's supposed to so maybe it's not worth getting. The thing that sucks is that I have no way of getting one until at least May. Like you said, it's hard to wait. It's terrible that I don't even have the bike yet and I already want to ride so much.

Hmm, can anyone else look real quick at www.specialized.com Is it just for me or have they changed the specs on the 2006 Rockhopper to Deore and LX components with avid brakes instead of SRAM and tektro. Would that be because there are two different 2006 models or what? I'd definitely like the Deore and LX better I think but I'm not sure why it just suddenly changed.

For some reason Specialized's site is timing out, but luckily I have their 2006 catalog sitting next to me.

Thanks. Their site might just be screwed up or something. It was weird though because it added extra colors and some int'l versions and stuff for the Hopper. They apparently don't want to send me a catalog and make it easy since I've sent for it twice over the course of a month or so lol

edit: After looking at it again it looks like they combined the base model and the comp into one bike. They just said one model had all the colors and each had some of the other's parts. Not sure what the int'l model was about though.

I have an 05 Rockhopper with the Manitou Axel. I didn't know it at the time, but the spring in my Manitou has been upgraded to a heavy duty, stiffer spring. If you go the 05 route, be aware that the LBS can swap out the spring to increase the stiffness of the shock if you want it that way.
And you are correct, there is no rebound adjustment on the Axel, only the spring is adjustable. However it is an oil dampening rebound. Personnally, I think the J3 may be a better deal.
Either way, you can't go wrong with a Rockhopper. If I had it to do over again, I would still buy the hopper, maybe with more on it.

Id go with the 06 because of the brakes and fork. The 05 has SRAM, but the shimano on the 06 seems a level higher than the SRAM on the 05. Assuming ofcourse that we're saying LX = X.7, and X.5 = regular deore.